2026 CIC Med Channel Race Day 7

2026 CIC Med Channel Race © Jean-Marie Liot / CIC Med Race

Tight race for the finish in Marseille

As of today, at 7:45 a.m. local time, only 0.2 nautical miles (370 meters) separated the two leading Class40s: PHARE 40, skippered by Mathieu Claveau and François Verdier, and STELLA NOVA, skippered by Omar Naas and Louis Toreilles.

After passing through the Menorca gate in the lead with a 1'51" advantage on Friday at 11:30 AM, the swiss team had to contend with attacks from the Marseille team. A speed battle ensued, as the strategy was simple: to go as fast as possible on the final stretch to Marseille. Meter by meter, the PHARE40 team took the lead at 11:45 PM. One can imagine the tension aboard the Class40s and the likely lack of sleep for this last night. But the other teams are not far behind either, with the 168 RDT LOGISTIC-OCEAN CONNECT just 8 miles behind the leading group. And the next four crews are within 15 miles of each other. Quite a tense atmosphere after 1110 miles already covered since the start in Marseille last Sunday.

The arrival of the first two is expected between 12:00 PM and 1:00 PM today; in what order? We'll have to wait for the finish line. Most likely to determine the winner of this second edition of the CIC MED CHANNEL RACE.

The conclusion of a unique journey

Having set off last Sunday from the southern harbour of Marseille at 2:00 PM, the crews of this second edition of the CIC MED CHANNEL RACE embarked on a remarkable voyage in the western Mediterranean: Marseille, the Var coast, the islands of Porquerolles and Levant, the Strait of Bonifacio, southern Sardinia, a glimpse of the Algerian coast 50 miles offshore for some, the Balearic Islands and Menorca, and finally, a return to Marseille. Aside from the retirement due to power issues on the 179 GLACES ROMANE and the obvious speed deficit of the 98 QWANZA - PROVITEQ, a group of 7 competitors battled throughout these 6 days of racing.

A relentless sporting challenge

At all levels of the competition, professional or amateur, Whether Class40s were vintage or modern, featuring the latest "scow" technology or classic, high-performance designs, the battle was relentless. The 300 miles of upwind sailing during the first three days to southern Sardinia did nothing to dampen the crews' fighting spirit, and the return downwind leg provided endless tactical duels to gain a few places or hold onto hard-won ones.

As always, there must be a winner, but the duel between PHARE40 and STELLA NOVA was epic and enlivened the entire race for two crews with very different profiles. This Mediterranean race was once again a demonstration of the Class40's ocean-going capabilities, the diversity, and the appeal of this great offshore racing class.

To access the crew presentations: www.med-race.com/les-equipages

To follow the race on the map (a position update every 15 minutes): www.med-race.com/suivre-la-course

Website: www.med-race.com